Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program Prepares Future Leaders

Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program Prepares Future Leaders

An innovative program, launched by Fairfax County, is preparing the next
generation of citizens to become engaged citizens and leaders in the
community. The Youth Leadership Program, now beginning its fourth year,
takes high school juniors from the classroom into county offices and work
sites to experience first-hand the work of their local government, the
one that is "closest to the people" and the first responder in
times of crises.

A total of 36 students are participating in the 2004 class of the Youth
Leadership Program, one to two students from each of Fairfax County's
high schools. Each month the students attend three-hour sessions
sponsored by different county agencies. Through these sessions and an
internship in July, students will gain first-hand experience in local
government and the services provided to county residents, as well as
learn about the challenges faced in meeting the county's growing needs.
They also meet with decision makers in government and learn about the
role of the public in shaping policy and establishing priorities to meet
community needs. The issues the students explore during the year-long
program include homelessness, education, human services challenges and
solutions, budgeting during an uncertain economy, meeting the
recreational and cultural needs of citizens, public safety in today’s
world, and land use planning and development.

The students were selected based on their individual achievement in
school and their involvement at their school and in the community. The
class of 2004 includes the following students: Laela Shallal, Annandale
High School; Rohit Manaktala, Centreville High School; Kevin O’Malley and
David Lewis, Chantilly High School; Jungin Ahn and Tien Truong, Edison
High School; Samantha Grill and Priya Dandawate, Fairfax High School;
Luis Contreras and Justine Collado, Falls Church High School; Kelly
McGraw and Laura Spurlock, Hayfield Secondary School; Stephanie
Sourdillat, Herndon High School; Helen Chen, Lake Braddock Secondary
School; Kirrin Hough and John Pappas, Langley High School; Luana Jang,
Madison High School; Cynthia Wu, Marshall High School; Salar Mohandesi,
McLean High School; Al Sherkia and Phillip Deneault, Mount Vernon High
School; Amanda Goodman and Deborah Perl, Oakton High School; Sophia Aziz
and Rebecca Jugo, Robert E. Lee High School; Hae-Jung Cho, Robinson
Secondary School; Zeh Hale and Kenneth Anderson, South Lakes High School;
Sarah Khasawinah and Jenna Cook, J.E.B. Stuart High School; Taurin
Barrera, West Potomac High School; Janice Wong and Elizabeth Cole, West
Springfield High School, Frank Hagan-Brown and Edward Blunt, Westfield
High School; and Lauren Spratt, Woodson High School.

For further information on the Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program,
contact Susan Datta in the Fairfax County Department of Management and
Budget at 703-324-4068, TTY 711.

FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL
COUNTY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATIONS UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, CALL
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935. PLEASE ALLOW FIVE WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE
OF EVENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS.